How to Adjust Your Garage’s Auto-Reverse Settings in 5 Quick Steps

The first step is to test your garage door auto-reverse functionality to see if there's a problem. 

Here’s an easy tip: Get something solid (like a cinder block or brick) and place it under the garage door. Hit the close button and see if your garage door stops and retracts once it senses the brick. If it doesn’t, stop it manually before the door comes all the way down.

If the door doesn't reverse or seems slow to respond, this can present potential safety hazards and indicate you need to adjust the auto-reverse setting.

Once you've determined there's a problem, check the owner's manual. It provides a breakdown of garage door parts, components, and some detailed troubleshooting instructions specific to the garage door model you have. If you don't know where you placed yours, you can likely order a replacement from the manufacturer or find a copy online.

If you can't find a manual and want to adjust the settings now, you can troubleshoot on your own by checking the garage door motor itself. The exact location of each motor type varies, but check above where the vehicle would be parked, usually in the center of the garage. The motor resembles a plastic box or container and is safe to touch.

Depending on your model, there should be a component that looks like a screw or knob labeled as the auto-reserve sensitivity adjuster. You can use this to adjust the sensitivity by turning the knob counterclockwise (or with a screwdriver if it's a screw).

If your garage door isn’t working properly, it’s possible that the rollers or tracks are damaged. Each door has a set of rollers that live on the side tracks. While the door is closed, examine these rollers and their components, looking for signs of damage or wear. If you notice damage, you can purchase new rollers at a local hardware store and easily replace them without removing your garage door. The rollers, whether new or existing, might also need to be lubricated.

Once you’ve adjusted the sensitivity and examined the components, perform the cinder block test again. Keep adjusting, testing, and re-testing until you achieve a sensitivity you like.